Folding table and seat.



G. A. SWANSON.

FOLDING TABLE AND SEAT.

APPLICATION FILED APB.4,1911.

1,018,593. `manned Feb. 27, 1912.

lUNTTED STATES OFFICE.

GEORGE A. SWANSON, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

FOLDING TABLE AND SEAT.

To all @l1/wm t may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE A. SwANsoN, citizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county of Oakland and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables and Seats, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to a folding table and particularly pertains to a combined folding table and seat.

It is the object of this invention to provide a table which is adapted to be folded compactly and swung beneath a seat when not in use, and which is particularly applicable for use in the state rooms of steamer-s, in passenger coaches, porches and other places where economy of space is desirable. This invention is also adapted to be employed where the table would only be in use at infrequent intervals between which times it may be folded away so as not to take up space.

A further object is to provide a folding table which is simple in construction and operation and which can be quickly opened out for use or readily folded into its receptacle, in this case formed by a seat.

The invention consists of the parts and combination and construction of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of the invention with the table in its open position. Fig. 2 is a cross section of the seat showing the table in its folded position. Fig. 3 is a front elevation with the table open. Fig. 4 is a detail of the hinged joint of the table leaves. Fig. 5 is a detail in section showing the manner of folding the table beneath the seat. Fig. 6 is a detail showing the manner of retaining the table legs in a vertical or closed position.

In the drawings A represents a seat of any suitable description having a recess B thereunder opening on the front side of the seat. Pivotally mounted on the underside of the top of the seat A, at a point adjacent the front edge thereof, is a peculiarly shaped bracket 2, having laterally extending members a-b on each end of a central member c which are bent at their ends, as at #6, at right angles to the central member C. The terminations of the members e are pivoted Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. April 4, 1911.

Patented Feb. 27, 1912.

Serial No. 618,879.

to the seat A while the ends of the members al, parallel with those of e are pivoted or hinged to the underside of a table leaf 3,

near the edge thereof. The table leaf 3 may l be of any desired length, and one or more brackets Q may be employed if desired; the width of the table leaf 3 however, being limited to the length of the brackets 2 between the lateral members a-b. Leaf 3 ordinarily forms a panel closure for the seat opening or recess B, Fig. 2.

The outer ends of the table leaf 3 carry legs 11 hingedly mounted on the underside thereof which are adapted to be folded against the under face of the table leaf as later described. The legs l are formed as shown in Fig. l with a straight downwardly projecting .member f, the outer face of which is preferably disposed llush with the outer edge of the table leaf, and a straight horizontal member f/ extending beneath the table leaf substantially the width thereof. These horizontal members g are ll'lat on their upper edge and are adapted to bear against stift' jack-knife springs 5, as shown in Fig. (3, which, by virture of exerting a downward pressure, tend to retain the legs it in either a vertical or a hm'izontal position.

The outer edge of the table leaf 3 is beveled at G at an angle of approximately to which is hinged a supplemental leaf 7 which is adapted to fold on top of the table leaf 3. The leaf 7 is substantially of the same length and breadth as the table leaf 3 and is beveled on its hinged edge to correspend with the bevel on the leaf 3, so that when opened out a tight joint will be formed, as shown in F ig. 4l.

Brackets S are pivotally mounted at each end of the leaf 7 in a manner like that of the legs Ll on the leaf 3, and are so disposed that when the table leaves 3--7 are open the back edge of the brackets S will contact the front face of the legs 4l, thus providing a substantial support for the leaf 7. Springs 9 are employed to retain the brackets 8 in an open or closed position in a manner like that of the springs 5 on the leaf 3. The table leaves 3 7 are preferably hinged at their outer ends, as shown at 10, with hinges having a limited movement in one direction.

Vhen the table is not in use it is folded under the seat, as shown in Fig. 2, and forms a closure front panel for the recess B. IVhen the table is in use it is opened out as in Fig. l, being partly supported by the seat.

In operation, to fold the table, the leaf 7 is turned face downward on top of the leaf Bfas indicated in dotted lines, Fig. l, and the brackets 8 are folded against the then upper side thereof. The legs 4 are then folded against the underside of the leafV 3; the latter being sustained while so doing, whereupon the entire table is then lowered on the bracket 2, as shown in Fig. 5, and the latter allowed to drop downward on its pivotal connection on the seat A until the position shown in Fig. 2 is assumed. In this position the table top, composed of the leaves 3 7 with the brackets 8 and legs 4 folded therea-gainst, is supported upon the bracket 2 and suspended beneath the seat- A. The direction of movements followed in folding the table is indicated by arrows, in Figs. l and 5. To open the table the operation would be reversed.

It is obvious that the length of the table top may be varied to a large extent to suit the purpose to which it is to be put. In event the length of the table is approximately that of the height, or length of the legs 4, it is manifest that it will be necessary to offset the legs 4 in such manner that they will pass each other so as to lie side by side against the table when in their folded po.

sition.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- A foldable table and articulated connections whereby the table may be folded, said connections including foldable centrally disposed legs having transverse brackets at their upper portions, other brackets hingedly secured in the line of the iirstnamed brackets, and a table top having sections hingcdly connected to each other and hinged to the brackets, and foldable at right angles to the hinged movement of said brackets.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE A. SWANSON. itnesses JOHN I-I. I-IERRING, CHARLES EDELMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

